Another action packed day at the Jumierah beach soccer stadium and another day when I think my obsessive fascination with cheer leaders has reached crisis level. I would sound the alarm, but there's still 4 days left in this tournament, so I ain't pulling the plug just yet! Teams to ... Click to continue reading...

Last week I wrote about the bottom half of my personal top 20 stadia (out of 31 total) in MLS history. This week I share with you my top 10.  My b0ttom seven were all larger stadia with capacities of 30,000+ and the next three were each smaller stadia. Today's list reveals eight smaller soccercentric stadia and two of the jumbo variety.

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Big Story
Detroit hasn't exactly been on everybody's lips as the next great MLS market (Don Garber announced that was likely Montreal in his State of the League address yesterday).

But news from the Free Press at least potentially puts the city back on the table: "A family-owned Toronto real estate company has submitted a winning bid of $583,000 for the Pontiac Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions until they moved to Ford Field in 2002, and nearly 130 adjacent acres.

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For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 6-rated stadium, the Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.
No. 5 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Open since: 1903
Capacity: 52,000
Tenant(s): Queen's Park, Scotland
World Cup hosts: Never
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The University of Denver men's soccer team (5-10-4) was unable to rebound from an early first-half goal by New Mexico's Justin Davis, falling 1-0 in the semifinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation's men's soccer tournament on Friday evening at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. The win advances the Lobos (12-6-0) to the MPSF championship game at 1 p.

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University of Denver goalkeeper Joe Willis made three saves during the shootout and all three Denver shooters scored as the Pioneers defeated Air Force in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament on Thursday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

Air Force (7-8-2) scored twice in the final 15 minutes of regulation to tie the Pioneers 2-2 and send the game into overtime.

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DU is hosting the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's soccer tournament at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium today through Sunday.

This marks the first year that the MPSF has played a men's soccer tournament since 2003. The Pioneers earned the right to host the tournament after winning their first MPSF regular-season championship last year, which earned DU its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1970.

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Today, Santos Laguna inaugurated their impressive athletic complex, Territorio Santos Modelo (TSM). And all of the heavy hitters in Mexican, CONCACAF, and world soccer were there, from Javier Aguirre, Justino Compeán, and Mexican President Felipe Calderón to Jack Warner, Sepp Blatter, and Pelé. Ricky Martin gave the first concert, and Santos and Brazil's Santos are playing the first match in the new stadium (with Matías Vuoso scoring the first goal). Click to continue reading...

The University of Denver women's soccer team will face Portland on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex in Oregon.

Pioneers (17-5-1) earned their unprecedented fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference championship by beating Arkansas-Little Rock 1-0 on Saturday in Boca Raton, Florida.

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A little something flaring up at Toyota Park

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If you need any more evidence of why continued stadium development is the most important element in professional soccer's domestic development, go watch Saturday's match from Chicago.

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Jesse Henderson scored in the first half and Collin Audley notched a second-half goal to lead the University of Denver men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Air Force on Saturday at Cadet Soccer Stadium in the regular-season finale for both teams. With the victory, Denver improved to 5-9-3 overall and finished 2-4-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation , while the Falcons fell to 7-8-1 and 2-5 in league play.

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University of Denver senior midfielders Mariah Johnston and Kelli Breidenbach combined for the only goal as the Pioneers shut out North Texas 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

In the 20th minute, Johnston dribbled from the right side of the field and fed Breidenbach inside the box for a one-timer from eight yards.

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This week's snowstorm has altered the plans of some of the area's college soccer teams. We will post any scheduling changes in this post as soon as we hear about them.

REGIS UNIVERSITY: The Regis University men's soccer match against Colorado Christian scheduled for 3:30 p.

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Sunday's match between the DU men's soccer team and New Mexico at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium has been moved up one hour to noon.

The game was scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff but was changed because of anticipated bad weather in the Denver area during the afternoon.

Because of the time change, admission to the New Mexico game will be free and all tickets that were previously purchased will be valid for the Pioneers' game against Seattle on Friday.

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Brigham Young scored three second-half goals Friday night to capture a 3-0 victory over Air Force in a Mountain West Conference women's soccer game Saturday evening at Cadet Soccer Stadium. With the victory, BYU improved to 14-2-2 and 5-0-1 in the conference. The Falcons fell to 2-14-1 and 0-6 in league play.

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First, a question: Does the United States need a national soccer stadium? The answer, without hesitation, is "no". America is bursting at the seams with stadiums, many purposely built with soccer...

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GOLDEN With a two-goal lead and a one-man advantage on the pitch, what did the Fort Lewis College men's soccer team learn on Friday against the Colorado School of Mines?

"We can't afford to let teams back in a game," Skyhawks coach Oige Kennedy said.

The Skyhawks scored twice in the first 30 minutes of Friday's match at the Colorado School of Mines Soccer Stadium.

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Jeff Nelson of the Colorado School of Mines' men's soccer team was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week.

Nelson, a senior forward from Laramie, scored four goals and tallied two assists to help Mines to a pair of victories last weekend. In Mines' 4-3 win at CSU-Pueblo on Friday, Nelson scored a pair of goals, including the winner, and added an assist.

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The Regis University women's soccer team, seeded two spots behind the Colorado School of Mines in the Central Region rankings, used a goal by freshman Erin Kettmann to knock off the Orediggers 1-0 on Wednesday in Golden.

Regis, ranked fifth in the region, improved to 10-2-2 overall and 7-1-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with its fifth win in as many matches.

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Senior Josh Rhynard scored two goals and added one assist Monday afternoon to lead the Air Force men's soccer team to a decisive, 6-3 victory over Missouri-Kansas City at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Air Force, which scored the most goals in one game since recording seven in the second game of the 2003 season, improved to 5-3-1, while UMKC fell to 4-6-1.

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For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 9-rated stadium, the Bombonera in Buenos Aires click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.
8. Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti (El Monumental), Buenos Aires
Open since: 1938 (renovated 1978)
Capacity: 66,000
Tenant(s): River Plate, Argentine national team
World Cup hosts: 1978
Closest U. Click to continue reading...

M&T Bank hosting the World Football Challenge this summer.

Talk about a potential shocker. Baltimore's mayor has sent a letter to the Maryland Stadium Authority to look into possibly building a soccer stadium for DC United.

The city became a bit more interested in the project after this summer's soccer tour that saw a game at the 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium for AC Milan and Chelsea.

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On Sunday afternoon, Mallori Lofton-Malachi [left] and the South Florida defense did what now other team this season has been able to do: Shutout Rutgers' potent attack. Coming into the match, the Scarlet Knights had not met a team that could keep them off the score sheet for ninety minutes, including two top twenty-five teams. Click to continue reading...

They used to always say that the Home Depot Center was the jewel of Major League Soccer. I guess sh*t done changed...or it will in March 2010 at least. To be fair though I think they are two different animals that are each worthy of being a "diamond girl" in their own way and don't really lend themselves to a side-by-side comparison. Click to continue reading...

When: Tonight, 7:30pm
Where: USF Soccer Stadium
Tonight's match is a clash between Big East Red Division rivals. USF (6-1-1 overall / 2-1-1 Big East) is currently second in the division while the visiting Bearcats (7-3-0 overall / 2-2-0 Big East) sit fourth. The Bulls are ranked number six in the NSCAA poll and hold an all time edge in the series over Cincinnati 7-6-3. Click to continue reading...

The South Florida women edged visiting Seton Hall (4-6-1) on Friday night with a 1-0 victory off a goal by Chelsea Klotz [left]. Her eighty-fourth minute goal, assisted by Noelle Pineiro, was the second time in as many games that the duo had teamed up for the game winner. Last Sunday, the roles were reversed as Klotz assisted on Pineiro's late goal that sealed West Virginia's defeat at the USF Soccer Stadium. Click to continue reading...

The University of Denver men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Missouri State on Thursday afternoon in Springfield, Mo.

David Buckenheimer scored the game's only goal in the 73rd minute. On a corner kick by Johannes Demarzi, Paul Paradise headed the ball to Buckenheimer's right foot.

Missouri State improved to 5-2-1, and Denver fell to 3-3-2.

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USF's leading scorer, Noelle Pineiro [left], secured a big win for the Bulls on Sunday with an assist and then a goal to defeat West Virginia (4-3-4) in front of just 267 at the USF Soccer Stadium. Pineiro, a sophomore from Bradenton, has been USF's most consistent source of scoring this season, while the team has lacked the finishing touch at times. Click to continue reading...

When: Tonight, 8pm
Where: Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, Morgantown, WV
South Florida (5-0-1) travels tonight to take on the Mountaineers (2-2-2) in the Bulls' third Big East game of the season. USF has a number three ranking in the latest NSCAA poll to defend and would like to improve its position in the Big East Red Division, where the Bulls are in third place after two matches. Click to continue reading...

Major League Soccer

We've read for many years that a "traditional" calendar will never work in Major League Soccer. Stadium issues, weather and competition from other sports forces MLS to play over the summer.

After many years of defending that policy, I have to the realization that for once (and only once) Sepp Blatter may be on to something.

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On Sunday, if the Bulls were all theatre majors, they would have been presenting an encore performance of Friday's draw against Marquette. Get an early goal, but fail to put away your opponent and let them hang around and get enough chances until they are able to score an equalizer. Then the grand finale is to have your fans on the edge of their seats for twenty minutes of overtime before settling for a tie. Click to continue reading...

Altitude can be an advantage for Colorado sports teams, but the way they exploit it can differ. Air Force co-captain Kevin Rosser used a quick restart to feed Zane Dydasco for the winning goal in overtime as the Falcons defeated Army 1-0 on Saturday night at Cadet Soccer Stadium.

In the third minute of OT, Army gave up a free kick a few feet outside its penalty box.

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Officials are talking about suspending the Chinese Super League this season after 11 players on one team have tested positive for the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. The league aren't taking any chances and have already quarantined the players and team until further notice. Talks are currently underway for deciding whether or not to cancel the season all together.

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When: Tonight, 8pm
Where: Virginia Tech Soccer Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
The Bulls (3-0-0) take their undefeated record on the road tonight to be tested by Virginia Tech (1-1-1). South Florida lost on its only previous trip to Blacksburg, but the NSCAA eighth ranked Bulls are hoping to defend that ranking and come away with a win. Click to continue reading...

From the KC Star comes word of new discussions regarding the location of a KC Wizards soccer specific stadium

The Kansas Speedway area has emerged as the new choice for a long-sought Wizards soccer stadium in a sweeping proposal that would include at least 4,000 new Cerner Corp. jobs.

The developer working for OnGoal LLC, the owner of the Kansas City Wizards, has prepared a stadium plan for a site owned by Nebraska Furniture Mart.

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